Culture Minister Bozhidar Abrashev discussed the arrangements for the Europalia Bulgaria 2002 festival in Brussels. The minister attended an informal meeting of his counterparts of the EU member states and the membership candidates in the Belgian capital. The Bulgarian officials and the Belgian co-organizers from the Europalia Foundation agreed that the festival will open on October 3, 2002 in the Brussels Opera House. The festival will be held under the aegis of King Albert II of Belgium. Abrashev conferred with the Culture Minister of the French community in Belgium, Rudy Demotte.